Current ethical challenges in prison psychiatry in England and Wales

Abstract

This chapter describes the legal context of psychiatric care for mentally disordered offenders in England and Wales, the different settings in which such care is provided, the organization of the prison system and of healthcare provision within prisons as well as the main ethical challenges mental health care practitioners working in prisons face. We will consider ethical challenges encountered through recent legal and policy developments, those related to working in a custodial setting, challenges associated with providing healthcare to mentally disordered prisoners and specific ethical issues such as food refusal. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved)(chapter)